Sultan of Oman holds extensive talks with Xi during his first visit to China
Amman3 min read
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On Monday, Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq Al Said held an extensive session of talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, during a visit he is making to China, the first of its kind.
Al Said and Xi discussed existing areas of cooperation between the two countries and ways to enhance them, especially in the sectors of technology, innovation, artificial intelligence, energy, renewable energy, manufacturing, logistics, digital trade, food security, and enhancing integration between economic zones and ports.
The Sultan of Oman emphasized the depth of relations with China, stressing his country's direct support for developing these relations, which have witnessed rapid growth over the past period in economic, commercial, and investment fields.
He said that Omani-Chinese relations have witnessed continuous positive development, noting that the direct investments of Chinese companies in the Sultanate in partnership with the Oman Investment Authority have reached more than 33 billion Chinese yuan over the past few years, and that areas of partnership have expanded to include energy, industry, infrastructure, logistics services, and advanced technologies.
He added that the Sultanate of Oman sees this development as a qualitative shift in the nature of economic relations between the two countries, confirming that the partnership with China is "based on exchanging expertise, joint investment, building production capacities, and developing knowledge- and technology-based industries."
For his part, the Chinese President said that his country views expanding and deepening relations with the Sultanate of Oman as a joint strategic choice for both countries, adding that relations between the two countries stand at a "new historical starting point."
Xi said: "I am ready to work with you to elevate the strategic partnership between China and Oman to a higher level, better serve the peoples of both countries, and contribute to peace, stability, and prosperity in the region."
The Sultan of Oman began a two-day state visit to China on Sunday. On Friday, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the visit is the first by an Omani Sultan to China since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries 48 years ago, and the first for Haitham bin Tariq since he assumed power in January 2020.
The visit comes in response to an invitation from the Chinese President, with the aim of strengthening and developing cooperation relations between the two countries in various fields.
Oman and China established their diplomatic relations on May 25, 1978, and they also announced the establishment of a strategic partnership between them in May 2018.
